Fireplace screen supporting fixture



Sept 2, 1941- J. B. TURNER 2,254,333

, FIREPLACE SCREEN SUPPORTING FIXTURE Filed March '7, 1939 @ZKM ,4 7'TOR/v5? Patented Sept. 2, 1941 YUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,254,933FIREPLACE SCREEN SUPPORTING FIXTURE John B. Turner, Norwich, N.l Y.Application March 7, 1939, serial No.26o,so2

Y 9 claims. V(ci. 15s-'22) In conjunction with the so-called flexibletype of fireplace screens, it has, in the past, been customary either tosupport the screens within the fireplace or to provide brackets whichare secured to the front or face of the fireplace for supporting acrossthe front of the fireplace a rod from which the fireplace screens aresuspended. When the screen supporting devices are so mounted as tosupport the screens within a fireplace, the horizontally extending rodupon which the screens 4are mounted must be of a length closelyapproximating the width of the fireplace opening and, hence, each rodmust be provided in the correct length to meet the requirements of theparticular fireplace with which it is to be employed. Furthermore, whenmounting fireplace screens in the foregoing manner, the screens must,for each installation, be so fabricated in size as properly to hangwithin the fireplace opening with the lower edge in close proximity tothe hearth. Since fireplaces do not usually conform to any particular orstandard dimensions, either in height or width of fireplace opening, itfollows that in ordervto mount fireplace screens within the replace, asabove pointed out, both the screens and the supporting rods thereforshould be especially fabricated in order properly to meet therequirements of each and every installation. Manufacturers, therefore,cannot fabricate and supply to dealers and the trade fireplace screensand supporting rods therefor in predetermined sizes or a series ofstandard sizes.

The other type of fixture for supporting fireplace screens, abovementioned, are designed to be secured to the face of a fireplace and toup'- hold a rod in substantially horizontally extending position acrossthe front of the replace upon which the fireplace screens are mounted. Aserious objection, however, to supporting the screens in this mannerresides in the fact that the face of the fireplace must be drilled topermit the fixtures to be secured thereto.

The primary object of my present invention, therefore, resides in theprovision of a fireplace screen supporting fixture which is adapted tobe secured to an inner wall of a fireplace and which is so adjustablyconstructed and arranged that it may be applied to fireplaces ofdifferent heights and widths and will support a fireplace screen inproper and correct relation to the fireplace opening and hearth. Inother words and more particularly, the fixture of my invention is sodesigned that elements thereof which, for example,

for supporting a rod in substantially horizontally extending positionacross the front of the fire# place may be relatively adjusted wherebyproperly to space said elements for application to fireplace openings ofdifferent widths. At the same time, the xture may also be `adjusted soas to support a fireplace screen with the lower edge thereof in correctrelation to the hearth whereby replace screens of given or standardheights may be adjusted to fireplace openings of different heights andproperly suspended in front thereof.

Still more particularly, my invention has for an object the provision ofa fireplace screen supporting fixture comprising a rod adapted to extendsubstantially horizontally across the front of a fireplace, an elementwhich is adapted to be secured to an inner wall of the fireplace and anarm connected between said rod and element, said arm being so connectedand arranged that said rod and element may be relatively adjusted tomeet the size requirements of fireplace openings to which said fixturemay be applied.

With these and other objects in view, my invention includes the novelelements and the` combinations and arrangements thereof described belowand illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which- Fig. 1 is afragmentary plan view of one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional, elevation viewzthereof taken inabout the plane 33 of Fig. i

Fig. 4 is an elevation, detail view of one element of the fixture ofFig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, elevation view illustrating the attachment ofmy fixture to a fireplace and the manner in which it may be adjusted.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a fireplace showing my invention appliedthereto;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, elevation view of a modified form of fixture;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation View thereof taken in aboutthe plane 8 8 of Fig. '7; and y Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of oneof the elements of Fig. 7.

Since my invention contemplates the provision of two, adjustablesupporting elements for a rod adapted to extend horizontally across afireplace and upon which the fireplace screens are supported, whichelements are adapted to be secured to an inner wall of a fireplace andare connected may' be secured 1;0 inner, side walls of a fireplace 55respectively to said rod and adjacent yopposite ends thereof, I haveillustrated in detail but one end of said rod and its associatedsupporting element, it being understood that the other supportingelement is of like construction and adjustable in like manner.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3, I is a rod, illustrated as tubular (seeFig. 3), upon which the fireplace screens are adapted to be supported.The adjustable supporting elements which are associated with oppositeends of said rod comprise a curved arm 2 and an element 3 which isadapted to be secured to an inner wall of a fireplace. The arms arepreferably of like shapeY but extend in opposite directions whensupported to overlie the face of a fireplace as shown in Fig. 6. Arm 2is connected adjacent oneend thereof to the rod I and adjacent the otherend thereof to the overbent portion 4 of the element' 3. The main bodyof element 3 extends `generally at right angles to the rod I and isadapted to be secured to the inner side wall 5 of the fireplace openingE, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Openings 3' are provided in element 3through which anchoring bolts may be passed to secure it to thefireplace wall. With this arrangement, of course, when the element 3 issecured to an inner, side wall of a fireplace, the overbent `portion 4which extends substantially at right angles to thermain body of element3 will overlie the face of the fireplace whereby to permit the arm 2which is adjustably and pivotally connected thereto by means of the boltI to be pivoted in a generally vertical plane. The overbent' portion 4is preferably drilled and tapped to receive the bolt 1 so that when thearm 2 is suitably adjusted relative thereto, bolt 1 may be tightened tohold the elements in relativelyadjusted positions. To increase thefriction between the arm 2 and overbent portion 4, the portion 4 may beroughened or knurled as indicated at 8 in Fig. 4 and, likewise, the endof arm 2 which frictionally-engages the overbent portion 4 may alsoberoughened whereby to aid in firmly holding the elements inrelativelyadjusted positions.

For appearance, I prefer to employ a tubular rod wltha slotv I I I`extending lengthwise thereof. The arm 2 may be slidably connectedthereto by meansA of the bolt S which passes through the slot and nutIIl which is adapted to be received within the tubularv rod VI asillustrated in. Fig. 2., By slidably connecting the arm 2 to the rod I,an adjustment may be made whereby the fireplace screen will be properlysupported relative to the hearthf while the adjustable, pivotalconnection between arm 2 and element 3 permits the elements 3 of thefixture to be relatively spaced to conform to the width of the replaceopening when, for example, they are to' be attached to the inner, sidewalls of the replace. Y As illustrated in Fig. 6, the elements 3 of myfixture are adapted to be secured to opposite and inner side walls 5V ofthe fireplace opening with the overbent portions 4 thereof overlying thefront or face I'I of the fireplace. 2, adjustably and pivotallyconnected to the portions 4 may extend upwardly and support the rod I ina substantially horizontally extending position across Ithe fireplace.Upon the rod I are supported fireplace screens I2, only one of which isillustrated. VIn the embodiment illustrated, rings I3 serve'to Vsupportthe screen I2 on the rod I whereby the screen may be`v pulled asacurtziin-acro'ss the fireplace opening or moved to one-side thereof.

The arms In installing my fixture, it will be seen that due to theadjustable connections between the elements 3, arms 2 and the rod I, thespacing between the two elements 3 may be varied both by pivoting thearms 2 relative to rod I and by sliding the arms 2 relative to the rod.Hence, my supporting fixture may, within limits, be so adjusted that theelements 3 thereof may be secured to opposite and inner side walls ofreplace openings of different widths. Furthermore, with the elements 3in correctly spaced relation, arms 2 may then be pivoted relativethereto and slid relative to rod I to adjust uthe elevation of the rodrelative to the hearth whereby the fireplace screens willi be supportedin proper relation to the opening and hearth.

Fig. 5 illustrates the manner in which the elevation of rod I above thehearth may be varied. Thearm 2 is shown in dotted lines at 2 as pivotedin a clockwise direction relative to its supporting element 3 andadjusted relative to the rod I thereby supporting the rod at a higherelevation as indicated in dotted lines at I. Obviously, the supportingfixture which is mounted on' the opposite side of the fireplace islikewise adjustedin'order to support rod I substantially ina horizontalposition.

From the foregoing, it is believed evident that, within limits, mysupporting'xtuie may be adjusted to support a rod across fireplaceopenings of different widths and, at the Sametime, it may also beadjusted to support said rod at substantially the correct .elevationabove the hearth to meetthe height requirements of a given fireplacescreen.` Hence, I have provided a fixture which may. -be secured withina fireplace opening but which is so constructed and arranged thatfireplace screens need not be, especially fabricated in height `for,each individual installation ynor is it necessarytoY provide,supporting rods for said screens in lengths conforming to the width ofthe fireplace opening. With my invention, rods .may ,be providedin alimited number of different, standard lengths whereby theA requirements.ofrall' ordinary fireplaces may be met. The rodmost closelyapproximating the correct length mayof course, be chosen for anyparticular installation. Likewise, the fireplace screens may befabricated in standard heights and, it will be evident, that'by usingthe fixture of my invention a considerable saving in the cost ofmanufacturing both fireplace screens and supporting elements thereforwill be experienced while thesupply thereof to the trade may be moresatisfactorily carried out.

The modifiedform of my` invention illustrated in Figs. 7 .to 9, isgenerally similar to that hereinbefore described but embodies a modifiedarm for connection to a tubular rod I4 which is slitted alongthe bottomthereof, as indicated at I4I, to receive a rollentype supporting elementfor the fireplace screens.' Thetubular rod I4 is adjustably andslidablyconnected to thearcuate, overbentp'ortionIY cf`a`rrm I6 and armI6, like arm 2,` is.pivotally.andadjustably connected to the element I'Icorrespondingto.element 3.V Element Iflfmay be generally L-shapecl` likeelement 3 andthe' main body thereof may be substantially straightwhereas the enclof element 3 remote fromthe 'overbent portion 4 thereofis shown as bent ata1slight Vangle so that the element may conform.'tothe slope vofthe inner, sidewalls of the. .ordinaryfirepla'ce;Thefarcuate portion I5 ls provided,` with ai slot, asyindlcated at I8,to

permit the shank of a bolt i9 to pass therethrough and he threaded intoa nut 2U which is disposed within the tubular rod M, as illustrated inFig. 8.

Adjustment of arm i5 relative to rod l and element ii may beaccomplished in the same manner as that of arm 2 relative to rod ll andelement 3, the arcuate, overbent portion l5 of arm l 6 affording properengagement between the rod and arm when the arm and rod are positionedat various angles to each other.

While I have described my invention in its preferred embodiment, it isto be understood that the words which I have used are Words ofdescription and not of limitation. Hence, changes within the purview ofthe appended claims may be made without departing from the true scopeand spirit of my invention in its broader aspects.

What I claim is:

1. In a fireplace screen supporting fixture, a rod adapted to extendhorizontally across the front of a fireplace and to support a fireplacescreen thereon, a generally L-shaped element adapted to be secured to aninner wall of said fireplace with a portion thereof overlying the faceof said fireplace, an arm pivotally connected adjacent one end thereofto said L-shaped element and slidably connected adjacent its other endto said rod and means for securing said arm and rod against relativemovement.

2. In a fireplace screen supporting fixture, a rod adapted to extendhorizontally across the front of a fireplace and to support a fireplacescreen thereon, a generally L-shaped element adapted to be secured to aninner wall of said fireplace with a portion thereof overlying the faceof said fireplace, an arm pivotally connected adjacent one end thereofto said L-shaped element and slidably connected adjacent its other endto said rod, means for securing said arm and rod against relativemovement and means for securing said arm and element against relativepivotal movement.

3. In a fireplace screen supporting xture, a rod adapted to extendhorizontally across the front of a fireplace and to support a fireplacescreen thereon, a support for said rod comprising an element having anoverbent portion, said element being adapted to be fastened to an innerwall of said fireplace with its overbent portion overlying the face ofsaid fireplace, and means connected to said rod and to the overbentportion of said element for adjustably supporting said rod.

4. In a fireplace screen supporting fixture, a rod adapted to extendhorizontally across the front of a fireplace and to support a fireplacescreen thereon, a support for said rod comprising an element having anoverbent portion, said element being adapted to be fastened to an innerwall of said fireplace with its overbent portion overlying the face ofsaid replace, an arm attached to said rod and means for adjustablyconnecting said arm to the overbent portion of said element.

5. In a fireplace screen supporting fixture, a rod adapted to extendhorizontally across the front of a fireplace and to support a fireplacescreen thereon and a support for said rod comprising an element providedwith means adapting Y tical plane substantially parallel with the faceof said fireplace when said element is secured to a wall of saidfireplace and means for slidably connecting said arm to said rod;whereby the elevation at which said rod is supported may be varied.

6. In a fireplace screen supporting fixture, a rod adapted to extendhorizontally across the front of a fireplace and to support a fireplacescreen thereon and a support for said rod comprising an element providedWith means adapting it to be bolted to an inner wall of said fireplace,an arm pivotally mounted on said element; said element pivotallysupporting said arm in front or said fireplace and in a generallyvertical plane substantially parallel with the face of said fireplacewhen said element is secured Within said fireplace and means forslidably connecting said arm to said rod; whereby the elevation at whichsaid rod is supported may be varied.

7. In a fireplace screen supporting fixture, a rod adapted to extendhorizontally across the front of a replace and to support a fireplacescreen thereon and a support for said rodcomprising an element providedwith means adapting it to be bolted to a wall of said fireplace, andmeans for adjustably supporting said rod on said element, said lastmentioned means adjustably supporting said rod in a generally verticalplane substantially parallel with the face of said replace when saidelement is secured to a Wall of said iireplace whereby the elevation atwhich said rod is supported may be varied.

8. In a fireplace screen supporting fixture, a rod adapted to extendhorizontally across the front of a fireplace and to support a fireplacescreen thereon and a support for said rod comprising an element providedwith means adapting it to be bolted to a wall of said fireplace, andmeans pivotally connected at spaced points thereon to said rod andelement for adjustably supporing said rod on said element, said lastmentioned means also providing relative movement of said rod and elementin a direction substantially parallel with said rod, and said lastmentioned means adjustably supporting said rod in a generally verticalplane substantially parallel with the face of said fire place when saidelement is secured to a wall of said fireplace whereby the elevation atwhich said rod is supported may be varied.

9. In a fireplace screen supporting fixture, a rod adapted to extendhorizontally across the front of a fireplace and to support a fireplacescreen thereon and a support for said rod comprising a pair of elementsprovided with means adapting them to be bolted to opposite walls of saidrepiace, and means for adjustably connecting said rod adjacent oppositeends thereofto said elements and for adjustably supporting said rodthereon, said last mentioned means and rod adjustably connecting saidelements for movee4 ment relative to each other in the general directionof the length of said rod and said last mentioned means adjustablysupporting said rod in a generally vertical plane substantially parallelwith the'face of said fireplace when said elements are secured to theWalls of said replace; whereby said fixture may be applied to fireplacesof different widths and the elevation at which said rod is supported maybe varied.

JOHN B. TURNER.

